Thursday, February 3, 2011

First Look: Mark McNairy San Salvador

When Mr. McNairy was visiting El Salvador he discovered a style of boot he had never seen before. The Burro boot is the official shoe of El Salvador's working class and the signature style produced by Empresas ADOC, Central America's largest family owned manufacturer. ADOC provides all of its workers with a pair - the cost of which is equivalent to one day's pay. Known for their tough and rugged nature, the Burro boot has been worn through revolutions and is symbolic of El Salvador's everyman. Wanting to bring this iconic shoe outside of Central America for the first time, Mark is launching his San Salvador collection. Mark's version, made by ADOC, keeps the classic silhouette and thick vulcanized rubber sole, but features new eyelets and rich suede uppers. The plan is to eventually build the San Salvador collection to include more authentic El Salvadorian footwear such as roper boots on a similar rubber sole. McNairy's Burro boot will be available in stores soon and should retail for around $125.

Yet another example of appropriating a working class, functional item and "re-imagining" it with "premium" materials that put it beyond the reach of the original audience as well as render it inappropriate for the original application(s).

At least the backstory is somewhat interesting. Not that it matters when the shoes are so ordinary looking that nobody will ever ask you about them.

So, will a third world nation start importing the shoes American janitors wear as their latest style-craze? I don't think I can get on board with a high-end version of the "official shoe of [...] working class" sold to wealthy Americans. Seems half J.Peterman, half Bushwick contrived. That said, Mark's designs are among the tops in the kicks game.

Frankly, I don't see the moral issue of these at all. Red Wings can run up to 250 dollars a pair. 125 for a McNairy shoe is fairly inexpensive, and its not uncommon for many work boots to come close to 100 dollars.

By a moral perspective, McNairy is ADOC into the spotlight and perhaps even generating some money for them. Otherwise, you are looking at a nice boot designed by tumblr's golden boy that doesn't really break the bank.

i like them. he gave the company some more business and gave some attention to a non-american workwear source. i don't see why the hate. these are a great everyday chukka boot in some nice suedes. done.

Pay close attention to how the guy in the first pic styles the Burro Boots: when you're milking, make sure you use a galvanized bucket. Besides looking better than a plastic pail, over time that sort of bucket will develop with a nice patina.

Let me get this straight... They normally cost a day's wage for a working class person in El Salvador. Call that $8 (probably being generous). Slap McNairy's name on them and use a different (not necessarily more expensive, just different) leather and sole and they're retailing for $125. And you guys think that's a good deal?Conclusion: Next time you're considering a pair of "McNairy's" just buy "regular" shoes and donate $117 to the charity of your choice. That would give you a good story to tell people, too.Brian

This is a joke, right? I don't get the fashion for workwear, which, I think, has something to do with the weird psychology of priviliged white hipsters slumming it in Brooklyn. Who wants to look like a greasy pipefitter, itinerant farm worker, or Salvadoran peasant? This is soooo SWPL.

A Donkey Boot...really McNairy?? Is he just trying to fuck with his customers or is he serious with this shit? Ive said it before and Ill say it again, this guy jumped the shark about 2 years ago. Move on.

LAS, much respect and Im a loyal follower but dont call him Mr. McNairy, hes not your parents friend, he's a shoe salesman.

They look a lot like USMC Boondockers or WWII roughout service shoes. It's not a bad look, but, for the money, I'd rather have the full-grain roughout leather upper with a leather midsole that you get with a repro WWII boot over the suede and blown rubber of these fashion boots.

I love to see some of the haters that clutter up this site stick some of your suggestions up.

Taking a pop's easy lads.

For me these these look sound for a oner.

As for stuff costing more with a rebrand, aimed at a different mkt. Erm, yep. But that's hardly new is it. Redwings, Dr Martins, Blundstones, Sanders (oh, yes, they don't get much rep. in Northampton) the list goes on.

There is nothing worse than an American "gringo" coming along and selling you "authentic" Salvadorean shoes, as if he has discovered them. I am 100% Salvadoran, born in the USA. Let me tell you, ADOC shoes are considered cheap by my Salvadoran family, here and in ES! And yes, a typical days pay is $7 USD....Get out of El Salvador! Leave My country alone!!! Stop exploiting it for your fashion profit!

really no shoes from 7 dollars in El Salvador and the burro boots collection are no longer used, ADOC has a limited edition of 600 pairs that has put the sale in its stores, distributes many brands ADOC including Florsheim etc the interesting thing is that burro boots were made in the years 1953 to working poor economic opportunities, for that reason the company ADOC, makes a special edition with better materials than those used originally. here costs $ 50 but only produced 600 pairs.